What is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets standards for wages and hours worked in the U.S. The law was passed in 1938 and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. It requires employers to pay workers at least the federal minimum wage, prohibits child labor, and requires employers to keep accurate records of workers’ wages and hours worked. In Maryland, the FLSA sets out minimum wage and overtime requirements, which state that employers must pay employees at least the federal minimum wage for each hour worked. Employees must be paid time and a half for any hours worked in excess of forty hours in a workweek. Also, employers must keep accurate records of wages and hours worked for all employees, regardless of age. The FLSA also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file complaints or exercise their rights under the FLSA. This means that employers cannot fire, demote, or threaten employees in order to prevent them from filing complaints or exercising their rights under the Act. The FLSA is an important tool for protecting workers’ wages and ensuring they are paid fairly for the work they do. It also sets the standards for wages and hours in Maryland and across the U.S. so that all workers are treated fairly and equally.

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